Live imperfectly with great delight

iPhone update #3

2011-09-18T21:48:00.002-05:00

Just an update from my phone photos. Still waiting for the camera fairy to bring me a new one :)

Fall is finally approaching! I love living on the green belt and having this view everyday.

Babysitting my sweet crubie of course.

My ErinCondren planner that I absolutely LOVE!

Just my average Saturday morning run...trying to find some privacy.

Jeff ALWAYS has to play this before we leave HEB every Sunday afternoon.

Tried the "sock bun" for some over night curls. Amazed it really worked!

Love my Cooper. He's saying cheese.

Kristen and crubie at our girls dinner. He crashed the party.

My Missoni flats. A little big but perfect touch of color for fall.

Sweet baby Parker Mason Brown. Keep him in your prayers please!

That's all for now folks!

running running running

2011-09-15T15:51:00.000-05:00

I have not given up on this so called blog of mine. I have been running like a crazy person. Literally. Our coach even canceled practice this morning and 4 of us still went and ran together like crazy people. I wouldn't say I'm addicted to running, it's become more of my daily routine and I feel off all day if I've missed a run.

I don;t take my run time to think about things or anything like that. I just run. I can't really explain it like other maybe can. It's not easy for me by any means and I think that's why I'm sticking with it. I want to keep pushing myself till it becomes easy. You know you see those people running down the street or on the treadmill in the gym and it just looks like they are doing it with such grace. No grace here. I'm pretty sure the people watching me feel sorry for me and sometimes want to ask me to stop in fear I might fall over. It's a struggle every day. Don't get me wrong I have some great run days where I feel on top of the world and it makes my week but, those are far and few between.

If I'm running only 2 miles I can run pretty fast and do an 8-8:30minute mile. Anything over 2 I tend to slow my pace to about a 11-11:30minute mile. I have to slow my pace for longer distances. I'm still trying to build y endurance up. Aren't we all? My goal is to run a 1/2 by next summer without stopping once and running 9:30minute miles. YIKES! Who knows I may surprise myself. It's definitely going to get a lot easier once this weather cools down and the humidity lets up a little bit.

One thing I've learned is never judge people about their running until you've done it. It is extremely hard on your body and can be not only physically draining but emotionally draining as well. We all have our different habits that help us get through the miles and hey whatever works best for you, go after it!

Amen

2011-08-31T13:01:00.000-05:00

WordsToLiveBy:

Health: Drink plenty of water. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. Live with the 3 E’s - Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy Play more games. Read more books than you did in 2010. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Sleep for 7 hours. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile. Personality: Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. Don’t over do. Keep your limits. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip. Dream more while you are awake. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. Smile and laugh more. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. Society: Call your family often. Each day give something good to others. Forgive everyone for everything. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6. Try to make at least three people smile each day. What other people think of you is none of your business. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. Life: Do the right thing! Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. The best is yet to come. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Nuggets 1st birthday!

2011-08-28T23:02:00.001-05:00

My little nugget Cru Micheal Kool turned 1 today! I've been babysitting and loving this sweet little boy since he was 1 month old. Jeff and I absolutely adore him and his sweet fun parents.

After picking up the cake from HEB we decorated it ourselves! Turned out pretty awesome I'd say.

Just can't get enough of him.

Talk about a family of boys!

And the cake was a fail. Not a fan of being dirty at all.

Not funny but too cute.

Our " basket full of books" for Cru

Love you Crubie!

Team in Training!

2011-08-25T15:03:00.000-05:00

Just signed on for my 3rd straight season with Team in Training as a mentor!

When I finish my third season I will have been training with them for a year straight and will have raised over $5000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. That's one great 2011. message me if you want info on how to sign up for the winter season starting October 1st!

It's such an amazing team and great cause. Team in training has truly changed my life and I wish everyone could experience the past year that I have! Look into it , it's not as scary as it sounds.

Click here for more information: http://www.teamintraining.org/

a night with some clowns

2011-08-21T11:58:00.001-05:00

Last night I went to The Greatest Show on Earth (aka the circus)! Two girlfriends and I bought some $20 tickets and made a night out of it. We started at Melting Pot and had a glass of wine and some cheese and veggies then off to see the show. Our seats were pretty good for $20 and luckily no screaming scared children were right around us. It was a blast and at 26 I was still amazed at the tricks.

so close!

2011-08-15T20:24:00.000-05:00

3 more short months till marathon #2. I have to express how much I'm enjoying my new life since I started training just 7 short months ago.

I loved fast food, never worked out, drank more then I should and purchased Marlboro's weekly. I knew I wanted to turn my life around but I wanted to do it on my own terms and when I was ready. Evidently training for a marathon is the exact push I needed. I haven't touched a cigarette since the night January, I only drink the occasional glass of red wine, and I am a work out guru. I even work out twice a day 3 days a week. I LOVE it. I have never felt so healthy and full of energy in my life. I'm eating great and cooking every night. Eating healthy alone has made me feel incredible. One thing that helped was actually reading what was in the food I was eating. READ ABOUT WHAT YOU EAT! I couldn't believe what I was putting into my body.

Add to that the amazing feeling of raising money for such a great cause. I'm an active member of Big Brothers Big Sisters and help out once a year with Susan G Koman but this experience would be my favorite. Knowing that the money were raising is helping save peoples lives really pushes me to run that extra mile every week.

So Thank you to all of you who have donated and it's never too late. Just click the link on the right and it only takes 10 minutes. EVERY amount helps and is greatly appreciated!

Nashville in a nuttshell

2011-08-15T18:02:00.001-05:00

I went to Nashville TN last week for work and it was an experience to say the least:

It was so sad leaving these sleeping boys

This MAN had some killer shape ups on the plane...with his business suit.

While waiting to change planes I found this mother ASLEEP at the terminal while her little girl ran amuck.

The map of my hotel for the week. We stayed at the Gaylord Opryland, super nice, super huge. I got lost multiple times.

One of the "islands" inside the hotel. Looks like the river walk if you ask me.

Elvis at a tech expo. Only in Nashville.

80's cover band and free airbrush tattoos one night. This conference was crrrrrazy haha.

Yummy room service my last night there. The food was amazing the whole stay.

Finally home with these two love birds.

All in all it was a good trip but I missed my routine and boys way too much :)

Happy Monday!

Chocolate before a workout...YES PLEASE

2011-08-05T11:40:00.000-05:00

GREAT NEWS from FitSugar

Add another benefit of chocolate to your justification list: not only does dark chocolate help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, soothe a cough, and increase blood flow, but a new study now says it also can help you perform better if you eat it right before a workout.

The study looked at rats given either water or liquid extract of epicatechin, the healthy flavonoid found in dark chocolate that gives the sweet its many benefits, and found that rats who drank the extract ran as much as 50 percent farther than rats who drank only water. Epicatechin, the study found, binds to receptors in muscles, which may help them resist fatigue.

Wait, don't start gobbling the good stuff just yet! Read on for how much chocolate you should eat before a workout.

Good news, right? But don't take this research to mean you should chow down on a huge chocolate bar right before you hop on the treadmill. Only a small amount of dark chocolate is needed to reap the performance-enhancing benefits of the sweet, says the study's lead researcher, who also notes that eating a lot would undo any benefits by overloading muscle receptors. Small means five grams, or only about half a square of a dark chocolate bar. Also, don't think you can get by with a milk chocolate treat — too much processing undoes any positive effects of epicatechin, he says.

If you are looking for some dark chocolaty preworkout snack ideas, try these:

A sprinkle of dark cocoa in your Greek yogurt (with some honey if needed).

A handful of high-quality dark chocolate chips right before your workout.

A few dark-chocolate-covered mini pretzels.

A sprinkle of cocoa into a cup of coffee for even more endurance benefits.

A handful of trail mix containing cocoa nibs, nuts, and dried fruit.

A piece of Alter Eco Dark Quinoa Chocolate for another mix of proteins and carbs.

Still craving chocolate after your workout? Reach for some chocolate milk after an intense session — chocolate milk makes a great recovery drink!

Are bee's really that busy?

2011-08-04T18:37:00.000-05:00

You know the expression "busy bee"? Where did it come from? How do we know bee's are busy and not sitting on the couch enjoying a glass of honey?

I guess you could say I've been a busy bee lately. I've kicked up my training this season and have been running 5 mornings a week at 6am. It's gotten to the point where I don't even need an alarm to get up at 5am, which is good I guess. Then I usually do weights 2 nights, cycle 2 nights, and yoga saturday and sunday. CRAZY! But I am addicted and really focusing on being healthy and fit. I've also started reading The Skinny Bitch. Such a good eye opening book! I haven't finished it yet but I love it so far. I really like the tone they use, it's more real rather then someone sugar coating it to you.

Jeff and I make a point to cook and have dinner together every night of the week. I really enjoy that time together. We are both so busy and it's nice to have an hour or two of just us cooking, eating , and chatting about our week. We try and catch a movie every week ((I'm a HUGE movie goer)), have a late night dip in the pool to calm down at the end of the day, or take cooper for a really long walk on the greenbelt.

Is it just our house or are you constantly doing laundry? I guess when you think aout it I change clothes almost 4 times daily. 1. Morning run 2. Work clothes 3. afternoon work out and 4. PJ's. I feel like as soon as the laundry is all done and put away the hamper is full again. The circle of laundry I guess.

Anyways jam packed weekend filled with 9 miles Saturday morning and Footloose in Zilker Park!

Expect a better update on Monday! Happy almost weekend blogworld.

track team back again

2011-08-02T13:26:00.002-05:00

So Kristen and I went to our first track practice today! Wasn't as bad as I though it would be. It was actually an awesome work out. Looking forward to many Tuesday mornings to come.

On a side note: be careful in this heat. It is getting crazy hot out there and the humidity doesn't help one bit. I think that is the main motivation for getting up at 5am...20 degree difference in heat. I don't mind the early mornings anymore, that is until about 1pm. Then it starts to hit me that I've been up for 8 hours already.

Another side note: I love our team this season. It's a lot of newbies and everyones is always so supportive and motivating.

Only 3 months and 13 days left until marathon #2.

I can't believe that by the end of 2011 I will have run 2 full marathons and 3 1/2 marathons. Not to forget over 500 miles of running in just practice alone.

It's defiantly become 2nd nature, not the running so much, but the getting up at 5am and starting the day out with a nice little 4 miles run. I will tell you I canNOT wait for this humidity to let up a little. Coming into the worse and final month of summer and I hope and pray it flies by.

Stay cool today ladies and gents! Don't forget to DONATE.

Please and Thank you.

ily

2011-08-01T14:19:00.000-05:00

I love my BF. That is all for this busy little Monday.

xoxo

Reesa

Getting enough rest:

2011-07-27T18:42:00.001-05:00

Ugh, is it 6:30 a.m. already? If you constantly wake up in the morning exhausted and in a fog, here are eight reasons why. Again from fitsugar.com

Your room is like a cave. I love sleeping in utter darkness, but if blackout shades prevent daylight from streaming in and slowing waking you up, your internal clock won't know day from night. Exposure to sunshine in the morning will signal your brain that it's time for your body to waken. And when you do, it'll be gradual, so you'll wake up feeling rested.
You skipped yesterday's workout and actually can't remember the last time you sweat it out. Exercise burns calories, but it also burns up energy. If you have too much, you'll be too restless to settle. Stick to a regular exercise routine, working out at least three or four times a week in order to reap the benefits in the bedroom.
You stayed up late tweeting and looking at friends' Facebook photos. I know it's difficult to disconnect from the world, but when you check your email "real quick" it's easy to get sucked in and before you know it, an hour has gone by. Besides keeping you up late, the lights from your phone, computer, and TV stimulate you brain, so when you finally shut off the lights, it takes your mind a while to calm down enough to drift off to sleep. Make a promise to shut off all technology at least an hour before bedtime and read a book, take a bath, or do some stretches before bed instead.

Continue reading to find out other reasons why you're not waking up rested.

You ate sausage and onions for dinner. Heartburn is especially uncomfortable when you try to lie down. You won't be able to fall asleep or stay asleep if you're burping and dealing with a burning esophagus. When you can't sleep or stir several times in the middle of the night, you'll wake up feeling tired. To remedy this issue avoid spicy food, citrus fruits, tomato sauce, and other foods that cause indigestion.
You drank too much caffeine. Aside from the buzz caffeine gives, it can also cause heartburn. Stop drinking caffeinated beverages by midafternoon or earlier if you notice they're making you too hyper or gassy to chill out and sleep.
You polished off a bottle of wine right before bed. Not only does drinking too close to bedtime cause you to wake up to have to pee, but the alcohol can interfere with your body's sleep patterns. You might crash hard, but alcohol tends to cause tossing and turning during the night, and a morning after drinking almost always makes you feel groggy.
You forgot to put your phone on vibrate. There's nothing wrong with keeping your cell phone by your bed, but you don't need to know that you got email at 3 a.m. When a night of sleep is interrupted, it makes you feel like you haven't slept a wink. Any noises that could potentially rouse you from sleep need to be shut down. That goes for your air conditioner, birds chirping from an open window, a running toilet, or your barking dog. If you can't prevent certain noises, invest in a white noise machine or keep a fan on low to drone out any sounds that could wake you up.
You can't stop thinking about work, the fight you had with your BF, or your upcoming vacation. It doesn't matter if they're good or bad, if you're staying up late thinking about things, you're not sleeping. Keep a notebook and pen next to your bed and jot down lists, reminders, or write what you're feeling to get it all out of your brain so you can settle down and fall asleep.

Fitness Week:

2011-07-26T11:15:00.001-05:00

This week I decided I'm going to post some of my favorite fitness regimens. Some of you may know these and some may not, either way ready away:

First off Foam Rolling from FitSugar

Wouldn't it be nice to end every active week with an intense deep-tissue massage to help ease your muscles? But since we can't always spring for a trip to the spa, here's what we can do — use the foam roll at the gym.

You may have seen people in the gym foam rolling and think it's just for serious athletes or gym rats, but that's not the case. But there are many reasons why massaging out the tight knots in muscles is an important part of your workout routine, even if you already stretch regularly. Why? Because no matter how much you stretch, the build up of fascia that creates muscle knots that won't go away, which can lead to many different problems.

I've been consistently seeing my trainer for a few weeks, and the aftermath is clear: not only am I working new sets of muscles (meaning new ways of being sore) but I'm also realizing how much more I need to be foam rolling. My trainer, Tim Rich at Crunch Gym, says that everyone, avid athlete or not, should be using those long spongy cylinders daily. Read on for why and how you should be foam rolling every day.

Helps prevent common injuries. One of the most important reasons for a regular foam-rolling routine is to prevent those often too common exercise-related injuries. Many runners, for example, become painfully well acquainted with their IT band if they don't take care to massage the band of tissue. IT band syndrome and other similar flare-ups can be caused by too-tight muscles. Foam rolling every day ensures you are massaging away fascia buildup in your muscles, in order to help prevent those areas from becoming injury trigger points.

Helps you de-stress. Had a hard day? Foam roll your worries away. Digging for those knots "releases tension that is built up in the connective tissue to keep you less stressed," says Tim. He recommends a simple all-over body routine in order to combat the "desk posture blues" that happen from sitting too long in the office.

Keeps you flexible. Building up your flexibility is key for any fitness routine, Tim says, which means you constantly should be stretching and doing exercises that'll help you gain flexibility. Stretches that lengthen your hip flexors, for example, can help combat tightness from sitting as well as lower back pain.

The more regularly you use a foam roll on your tight muscles, the less painful it'll be.

daily links:

2011-07-21T10:21:00.000-05:00

Thought I'd share a few of my daily website visits. Some funny, some practical, some shopping, some interesting, just a little bit of everything for every mood.

1. PopSugar love love LOVE this site. They have everything from celebrity gossip to fashion to fitness. Just click on the tabs on top for health, food, kids, beauty, and much more. I get some many great ideas and tips from this website. I check it more than once a day for updates too.

2. Dear Blank just recently stumbled upon this site and it instantly put a smile on my face. Great mid-day laugh if you need one.

3. The Beauty Department I have always been a fan of Lauren Conrad so I was excited when she launched this sight. Great hair, makeup, fashion, and just overall tips from her and her stylists. I love getting new ideas for hair and make up too. They put up video tutorials quite often on some of LC's signature looks.

4. Frugal-Fashionistas found this a few years back and have been an avid reader since. I love finding celebrity looks of my own so I was excited to fin a site that did it for me. They take recent celeb looks and find them for less. Great for those of you who love Forever21 and H&M (also great sites I visit weekly)

5. Hello Giggles little bit of everything on here. Can keep me bus for hours.

6. Our Best Bites great recipes from sweets to healthy portions! I'm a pretty plain and simple eater so I love trying to find new ideas for the kitchen.

7. Healthy Bitch name says it all. GREAT website for you health nuts out there. I get weekly emails filled with advice, fitness tips, cooking secrets and more.

best advice

2011-07-13T15:00:00.000-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term

benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis or

reliable then my own meandering experience.

I will dispense this advice....now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth.

Oh, never-mind, you won't understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded, but trust me in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future, or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.

The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind: the kind that blindsides you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts; don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy.

Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.

The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive; forget the insults. (if you succeed in doing this, tell me how).

Keep your old love letters; throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people

I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives; some of the most interesting 40 year

olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of Calcium.

Be kind to your knees -- you'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll

divorce at 40; maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.

Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either.

Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body: use it every way you can.

Don't be afraid of it or what other people think of it; it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance...even if you have no where to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions (even if you don't follow them).

Do not read beauty magazines; they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents; you never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings: they're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in

the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but what a precious few should hold on.

Work hard to bridge the gaps and geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.

Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old; and when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse, but you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you are 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.

Advice is a form of nostalgia; dispensing it is a way of wishing the past from the disposal--wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts, and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me, on the sunscreen.

4th

2011-07-11T13:14:00.001-05:00

Every year on the 4th of July my neighborhood back home hosts a race called 5 mile my way. Yo can walk, run, bike, rollerblade, skateboard, whatever you wish through the neighborhood for 3 or 5 miles. We used to do this when I was younger and I thought it would be a fun way to get my miles in on Monday. I guess this race seemed so much bigger when I was little, that or the turn out has shrunk quite a bit since back then.

Jeff and my God sister Lara ran it with me and we had a blast. It was fun to revisit the race after all these years and see how much had changed. Boy was it hot though! We all finished though and had a great time running it. Shirts to prove it haha.

Before the race:

After the race:

In TNT news we had our mission practice this past Saturday. I was out of town last season and never made it to mission practice so this was a first for me. It was pretty awesome hearing from one of our honored teammates and really reminds me of what I'm doing this for. I started a new concept to push myself when I feeling like walking or skipping a workout: There are people out there who don't have the option to skip a doctors appointment or surgery when they don't feel like it. So i push myself to finish and complete my runs to the best of my ability because I have the option to fight and I'm going to!

Don't forget every penny counts. I'll do the running all you have to do is type your CC info :)

Thanks again for all the love and support!

my life according to my iphone

2011-06-28T22:09:00.001-05:00

Sweet Hazzard brothers enjoying some not so great cotton candy from the movie theater.

Jeffy's new basketball hoop. I surprised him and he loved it!

My dear friend Lauren Pollard gifted me with this sweet sign after my marathon.

Kell and I got a little creative thanks to Sally Hanson with our nails.

My little angel knows I'm about to leave.

Nothing I love more the a full and healthy fridge to start the week.

On the way to squishys first birthday! Elmo theme if course.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

goodness

2011-06-28T11:02:00.000-05:00

I just got new bedding and I already have my eye on something else. Who wouldn't LOVE this new print from West Elm. I have design dollars to spend there too...hmmmmmmmmmmmm

Training

2011-06-27T13:30:00.000-05:00

I really want to keep a better record of my training this season so this seems to be the best place to keep it.

We had our first practice this past Saturday and it felt so great to get back into the swing of things. As much as I might hate geting up at 6am every Saturday morning to run miles I kind of missed it during my 3 weeks off. I popped right out of bed when my alarm went off this weekend and was ready to go!

I have recruited 2 friends to run with me this season and I'm excited to see how they take it all in. I also went straight to my favorite running store, Luke's Locker, right after our first practice to get a fresh new pair of running shoes for the new season. Introducing the Broooks Launch:

After much research online for the best new pair (I had some bad experiences last season) I found these and they seem to fit PERFECT! I have yet to try them out, I will tonight though. Shoes and socks are the most important elements in running and preventing blisters and injuries. I wouldn't believe it if it didn't happen to me but the wrong shoes can cause serious injuries to your muscles. So keep your fingers crossed these work for me!

To anyone out there wishing to cross a marathon or 1/2 marathon off their bucket list I highly recommend Team in Training. They really are the best! They have the best coaches and mentors who can answer any and every question you have. I have had the best experience with them which is why I'm joining them for another one. Not only are you doing something great for yourself, ut your doing something great for others!

Anyways Happy Monday everyone. Hope you all have a super week.

Reesa

breakfast on the balcony

2011-06-26T20:32:00.000-05:00

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Sundays before? Sunday is the best day of the week by far in my book!

Today started out with a nice sleep in after a great night out with my girls last night. Jeff and I just got patio furniture this weekend so we cooked up a great little breakfast and sat on our patio enjoying our breakfast. Our balcony is literally on the beautiful green belt in Austin so it was a FANTASTIC way to start the day. I felt like we were in a hotel somewhere other then home.

Next we went out to the pool for a grand total of one hour. We are both aren't big on having old wrinkled skin in 20 years so we limit our sun exposure. I have become a mystic tan expert ladies and gents. After the pool we headed to the gym for a nice long easy workout. We warmed up together then went our separate ways in the gym (we aren't good workout buddies usually).

Feeling good and healthy we headed to WholeFoods to stock up ou fridge for the week. MMMMMM how I love all the fresh organic food there. It's more expensive for sure, but the meat alone is worth the extra $20 or $40. We have been so good at eating just about every meal at home so we spend the extra cash on the good stuff.

Now were at home finishing putting together ome bar stools we got this weekend as well. Heading to the movies with the other Hazzard's soon to see Bad Teacher.

Great little Sunday that started out with breakfast on our new balcony!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

another day...another marathon!

2011-06-23T18:34:00.000-05:00

It's been decided. Not only am I training for ANOTHER marathon BUT, I'm fundraising again as well.

I couldn't stay away. It's such a great cause and I met so many awesome people through TNT that I wanted to continue my experience and go for another one. I brought along 3 more girlfriends to do it with me this time so it should make for a fun experience.

I'm hoping this go round will be a lot less stress and a lot more enjoyable. The past time was enjoyable don't get me wrong, but it was very stressful. Now that I know what to expect and have 1 marathon under my belt I'm a little more relaxed and ready to take on another one.

Thanks again to everyone who supported me and donated last season. I know it's asking a lot to come to you again asking you to donate, but every dollar counts. So even if you can only donate $5, please do. We are helping save lives one mile at a time.

I'll be updating more this season on how training is going and will post after our first team practice on SATURDAY!

HELP!

2011-06-21T10:50:00.000-05:00

Help me out. Taking a poll on wether I should fundraise for my next race. I train with Team in Training and it is such an amazing experience. BUT it gets tough asking people for money year round. LLS is an amazing cause and if I had the money I would donate all of it myself. Take the poll to your right and let me know what you think?

Training for the Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon in San Antonio in November starts RIGHT NOW!

Thanks guys and gals!

moving along...slowly

2011-06-15T22:05:00.000-05:00

I can't wait for it to be a week with nothing going on. Even as I'm sitting here on my couch relaxed and just typing, my mind is going 1000 miles an hour with stuff I need to be doing. I'm not one of those people who can move and then slowly unpack and get settled. I want everything unpacked, put away and looking perfect with in 48 hours. My oh my that has not happend this move.

Things have gone wrong left and right and I just can't seem to get settled quite yet. Feels like everyday I think of something were missing and add it to the list. And I'm not a patient person who can wait for things to arrive. When I see or think of something I need I want it right then or it's gone when I come back to get it. Case in point our kitchen table. Our place is not huge at all and the "dinning area" is pretty small and located right in the middle of a traffic area. I found this perfect table and four stools at wal-mart that could easily be pushed up against a wall to give more walking space. Well a MONTH later (yesterday) we finally go to wal-mart to get it and it's gone! Of course. BUT we did find a nice tall round table at Garden Ridge that will do just the trick and I'm very pleased with it.

Next on the gone wrong list is the most awesome rug runner for our kitchen that is 5 inches too long. Jeff says we should just cut it...not so sure about that one.

I feel like I'm being a debby downer right now. I LOVE our new place and more importantly I love that I'm sharing this space with Jeff. It will all come together in due time and it will be the perfect first home for us. We are right on the green belt, it's literally our patio, which s really nice and will make for some fun outdoor adventures this summer. We are also in walking distance from Zilker which is worth all the things gone wrong in itself. Our good friends Kelly and Kyler are even in the same complex. Anyway we are moved in, still have a few things to collect and maybe some painting. I'll post picture with in the next month of how it all turns out though.

Busy weekend for us. My main man Squishy ( Caleb) turns 1 on Saturday and I can't wait to attend his little elmo themed party. Then Sunday we are heading off to Waco to see both our families for fathers day and my sisters birthday. Sadly we are missing my Lemo's birthday party Saturday in Waco :( Jeff needs to work that night so we're just going up Sunday for the day.

CONGRATS MAVS! We were trying to go to the parade tomorrow but it was just too much too soon with so much else going on.

Good night blog world! Happy Hump Day!

marathon weekend in pictures

2011-06-12T20:59:00.000-05:00

Heading to the airport bright and early. I had to go to physical therapy before we caught our plane so it was a really early morning for us.

At the Health and Fitness expo to check in! My heart was pounding.

Walking through downtown SD. I used to spend summers here with my family and the Caminitis. Missed it so much.

Once my parents got there on Saturday we went BACK to the Expo so mom and dad could buy some gear for race day.

So blessed to have such an amazing and supportive Jeffy in my life.

Waiting in line for the inspiration dinner the night before. Over 3,000 Team in Training runners and family were there.

Motivation enough for me. Sweet baby boy with Leukemia. His parents were running the 1/2 for the first time.

Finish Line after I crossed!

Morning of the race waiting to line up. Our whole crew!

That Sunflower on the hat was truly a sign from God that I was suppose to be running this race. I always gave Brandy sunflowers for her birthday, the race happend to fall the same weekend as the 2 year anniversary of her death.

Erin and I waiting for the start line...notice it's light out already. We waited anxiously for about 2 1/2 hours to actually start running

Started together 5 months ago and finished together! Lub you Kelly! Couldn't have done this with out you.

Still waiting for the race to start! Such a pretty course though.

And we're OFF!

It's been a crazy busy 2 weeks! I was super nervous and emotional before the race and then as soon as we got back we had 2 days before moving. So life has been a little crazy right now. As soon as we get more settled I'll update more about the race and the new place. For now I'm going to enjoy the rest of the finals and HOPEFULLY a MAVS win tonight!

MARATHON

2011-06-06T23:10:00.002-05:00

I DID IT! I FINISHED MY FIRST MARATHON ON SUNDAY. FINISHED IN 5 HOURS AND 52 MINUTES. DETAILS AND PICTURES TO COME...

THANKS FOR ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT

You Are The Best Thing

2011-06-01T10:43:00.001-05:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JEFFY!

I love you to the moon and back. I never would have guessed 3 years ago we'd be here today. We have made it through so much these past 3 years and will continue to push through everything God throws our way. You truly are the best thing to ever happen to me. Thank you for everything you do for me. For always being so patient and kind not only to me but to everyone.

Our song couldn't describe our relationship better if it was written for us! 3 years down and 1 million more to go. I love you Jeffrey Scott Hazzard!

((I tried to find a better video but this is the only one that would play on blogger.))

5 more days!

2011-05-31T11:13:00.000-05:00

5 more days till I run the race of my lifetime! I can't believe it's already here. I have been full of all different emotions so far this week. Sometimes I'm so excited and can't wait to be at the start line, then I start to get nervous and wish it was already over. I know once I cross that finish line I'll want to run another one as soon as I can though.

10 days till we move! I feel like my "to do" list before moving just keeps growing instead of shrinking. We ventured to Ikea yesterday and got some dressers. We purchased a really nice couch and bed from West El so we went cheapo on the dressers. While at Ikea though I found myself adding more and more to our list of things we need. It's the little things I keep forgetting like oven mitts.

Love makes the world go round

2011-05-26T12:53:00.000-05:00

I stumbled upon a blog today from a friends post on facebook. A sweet little 5 year old girl just had a tumor removed from her brain. Her family is taking donations to help with her medical bills and recovery. I know it seems like I'm always asking to donate money but this family could really use some awesome people in their life to help them out.

Click here to help sweet Jaylie

Thank you friends.

Blessed Beyond Belief

2011-05-25T09:46:00.001-05:00

I really feel beyond blessed through this entire marathon experience, for many reasons.

1. Blessed to have the mental and physical ability to even attempt to finish a full marathon. I know there are many people out there who would love to be in my shoes racing in 10 days but simply can't for reasons beyond their reach.

2. Blessed to have amazing coaches who answer everyone of my millions of emails the past 5 months about every single detail and every ache and pain. I know sweet Colin and Steph will miss my emails, don't say you won't.

3. Blessed to have an amazing team that always cheers each other on. I really couldn't have picked a better group of people if I tried.

4. Blessed to have such great parents who have supported me and believed in me. Great parents who are flying out to San Diego just to see me cross the finish line.

5. Blessed to have an oh so sweet and paient boyfriend who has been my back bone through out this whole experience. Poor sweet boyfriend who has delt with the tears of joy and pain the past 5 months. And not to forget the bratty days.

6. Beyond Blessed to have SUPER family and friends who have donated their money, in this tough economic time, to support me and my cause for LLS. Thank you so much to everyone who has had even the littlest part in getting me here. I would not have even made it this far with out each of you.

10 days till race day!!!!!

hiphipHORRAY

2011-05-24T13:22:00.000-05:00

Long story short: I've been arguing over a couch with West Elm for almost a week now and finally got it today at the price I wanted. Thank goodness. Jeff and I both had our hearts set on this couch and could only afford it at the sale price. I did not back down and we got it. So I give you a little preview of whats to come of our frist place together.

First the couch. Oh how I love thee.

This isn't the EXACT rug that will be in the living room, but close enough.

One of many pillows for the couch. It's going to be a green and yellow theme.

This pretty little rug will be the runner in our kitchen. ((couldn't find the runner picture though))

Of course I got Jeff and I each mugs with our initials on them :)

Salt and pepper shakers. Weird I know but I fell in love with them when I saw them.

Finally we decided on bedding. You'll have to wait to see the finished bedroom to see my vision with the stripes...

So in love with our mirrored night stands.

My favorite piece in the whole house will be our canopy bed. I have always had a thing for canopy beds.

Pillows for the bed.

And to bring some femininen touches to the room, little bursts of pink and orange flowers.

Even looking at this page myself it seems like a mess of colors and patterns. Ha. It's a work in progress that I just can't wait to start.

All that's left to find is a coffe table and a dresser. 3 more weeks till we are in the new place!

june oh june

2011-05-23T11:34:00.000-05:00

My oh my June is going to be a month for the books ladies and gents. In the first 10 days of June I have my 3 years anniversary with Jeffy, the 2 year anniversary of bestest passing, my first full marathon in San Diego, and Jeffy and I will be moving in together. Talk about craziness.

Anniversary:
It's crazy to think it's been only 3 years. I find it hard to remember a time in my life with out Jeff in it. So much has changed these past 3 years, I have really changed a lot. I've gone from a college student who worked at a bar to a young professional who is training for a marathon. We've both been through so much together these past 3 years I feel like we can take on anything. Jeff is working on so many things and following his dream. I'm so proud of him for never settling on anything less then what he wants in life. While packing yesterday I ran into some old notebooks where I had written my life on! Jeff found the one form the first year we started dating and it was pretty funny to go back and read now. No big plans for the date. We're going to attempt to see the bats again since they never showed when we went last year. Grab dinner and probably go see a movie. I LOVE going to the movies and there is a new theater downtown we might try out.

Bestest:
2 years flew by. I feel like it was just yesterday everything happend. That day is still blurry in my memory. I'm glad that my marathon falls on the same weekend. I know I'll have an extra push of encouragement that day. Don't get me wrong, she would be the first person to say I was crazy and out of my mind for running a marathon BUT, she would be the first at the finish line waiting and cheering me on. Again while packing yesterday I found an old post card she sent me while she was traveling through Europe a couple years back. It's so awesome to find things like that every now and then. Love you bestest.

Marathon:
EEEK! I'm really starting to get nervous about this thing. I'm excited, scared, anxious, and every emotion you could imagine. I'm starting to get mad at myself for picking this marathon to run because of the date. There is just so much going on around this time that it wasn't the smartest choice. It WILL all work out just fine and hopefully race day will be a nice escape fromt he million things running through my mind. Hard to believe that this time in 2 weeks I'll be coming back to Texas a MARATHON FINISHER!

Moving:
I'm so proud of myself for getting so much packing done this past week. I have packed about 10 boxes and loaded them into the garage already. Huge lift off my shoulders to have some packing done. All that's really left is the kitchen, bathroom and some bedroom things. We've also been good at picking up things we need here and there so it won't be such a huge expense all at once. I'm so excited about moving in with Jeff and about our new place. It's small and cozy but I love it and can't wait to fill it with everything we love.

So if you don't see any new posts for about a month now you'll know why! I'll make sure and update after the marathon though!

xoxo

iphone uploads

2011-05-17T10:06:00.001-05:00

These bright little things are my new running shoes for the marathon. If you didn't know you are suppose to get new running shoes every 200-300 miles? I was shocked when our coach told us it was time for a new pair already. Anyway they had their first run this weekend and I love them! They are the Adidas "Boston" and they also come in BRIGHT red. I also recommend getting fitted for running shoes. Trust me it sounds silly but it makes a HUGE difference.

This yummy treat was devoured by a group of women the other night. We had some girls over to celebrate our late friend Adam's birthday. We got a large cheese pizza and added our own toppings, such and easy/cheap way to do a joint dinner. After we finished we all wrote little notes to Adam and tied them to ballons and set them free. It was pretty neat to see. (Just remembered we put Jeff's e-mail ont he back to see if anyone actually got them...wonder if he got any strange emails)

I went home for Mothers day ANNNNND to see one of my favorite young ladies dance in her final spring show 2 weekends ago. After mom and I spent the day having lunch and running errands, she came home to a kitchen full of ballons and flowers from my dad. So sweet those two. High school sweet hearts and married 37 years now!

First day to test out the running shoes in the gym. Notice how clean and shinny my gyms locker room floor is. Love Lifetime Fitness. (No, I'm not that tan. I wish. Thank you Mystic. I do not want old wrinkled skin when I get older)

My favorite picture in my phone right now! Our new bed! We have yet to pick it up and actually pay for it, but that will happen this weekend and I couldn't be happier. Not only on sale but we get an additional 20% off. I have this place in my heart for canopy beds that won't go away. Maybe because I had one as a child?

You can't really read this but this is Jeff's letter saying he got approved to take the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam. In normal talk that means he can take his trainer exam to become a certified personal trainer! So proud of him, he has been studying like crazy for this thing. He has until September to take it but I'm thinking He'll knock it out in the next few weeks. Love you Jeffy. So proud of you.

Last but not least. I made a yummy dinner last night that consisted of bacon wrapped pork loin and asparagus. So of course it was only natural to ruin a perfectly healthy meal with some frozen yogurt and lots of toppings. AND followed by popcorn at the movies. Oh well, I'm running 20 miles today so I figured I deserved it in advance!

Don't forget even though I reached my goal you can still donate! Until there is a cure we will still need help finding one!

BabyFever

2011-05-11T23:36:00.000-05:00

If you know me at all then you are well aware I have baby fever...BIG TIME! I have always wanted kids and loved being around them. I was the neighborhood babysitter for years.

This past year babies have been popping up all around me and I love it! 3 good friends have had the most adorable little nuggets you ever did see. Tia had Cru about 7 months ago and I've been watching him randomly since he was 1 month old. Gosh I just love my little Crubie! About 3 weeks ago I have a day off from work and Tia had something she needed to do "baby free" for the day so I volunteered. It was Reesa and Cru's day of fun!

Little nugget right after I got him. Happy as can be.

A stop at my office realquick, riding in the elevator.

Lunch with Bill. We went to see Aunt Stacy but she was not there.

Nap time. Little chunk is so cute with his tongue out while he sleeps.

Trip to the mall. Crubie was flirting with all the ladies in Victoria Secret

Watching a movie on my bed and feeding himself. Such a big boy now :(

Playing with Jeffy while Cooper over looks. Coop did not know what to think of Cru. Especially when Jeff was paying attention to Cru and not coop. Oh lord that dog better learn...

Coop passed out after Cru left. He was following his every move and making sure Cru did not mess with his home.

Thank you Tia for tursting me with your child. I'm HAPPY/ESTACTIC to watch him anytime day or night! Love my Crubie so much!

jumping the gun.

2011-05-11T10:19:00.000-05:00

I may be jumping the gun here because I still have $37.13 to raise, BUUUUUUUUUUT I think it's safe to say I reached my fundraising goal! I'm so excited and so proud of myself. There were a few stressful times these past 5 months where I didn't think I could raise it all. A lot of emailing, mailing, messaging, posting, tweeting, and so on. Sorry to anyone who was getting slightly annoyed by the constant reminder to donate, but it worked!

I can remember fundraising when I was younger and it was not this difficult. When I signed up for this I thought "oh this will be easy, I know so many people who will love to donate to a great cause". I jumped the gun on that one. Times are tough right now for a lot of people and a lot of my friends are in entry level jobs, living pay check to pay check. Gas prices are high and sometimes people just straight up forget. I think everyone wants to donate and help they just maybe can't at the time.

I would never go back and not do this though. The marathon is so close and I couldn't be more nervous and excited at the same time. I have really changed a lot in the past 5 months. I went from never going to the gym to going 5 days a week. I went from smoking and drinking on the weekends to staying home and eating veggies. I love how my life has changed for the better, it was hard though. Training like this and running so much can be very tolling on your body both physically and emotionally. I've been through both.

Training for my next marathon will be easier and less stressful (hopefully) because my body will be better adapted to the changes. I went from 0-60 that first week and never stopped. I'm planning on doing a 1/2 marathon in San Antonio in November and the full in Austin in February. I'll be taking a short break from fundraising and traveling. I want to continue to train and fundraise with Team in Training, maybe just one race a year though. It gets a little much begging people for money year round. I'm sure I would run out of people to ask.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS DONATED

AND SUPPORTED ME THROUGH THIS!

I could not have done it with out you. Especially Jeffy who has listened to me gripe and complain through out this process. He truly has helped me through this more than I can ever explain. The end result, crossing that finish line after 26.2, will be REMARKABLE!

Good Morning

2011-05-10T09:46:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone woke up feeling like this today.

Happy Tuesday.

BirthdayParty like no other

2011-05-04T10:28:00.000-05:00

There is a birthday party going on in the sky today.

A dear friend Adam turns 30 in heaven today.

2 years ago tomorrow Adam passed away.

He was such an amazing person.

A heart as big as Texas.

Always upbeat and smiling.

We all know he was the life of every party.

(and in a way still is)

Kind and sweet. Funny and silly.

A kid at heart with dreams as far as the stars.

God might be shaking his head and laughing at our Adam right now.

Toasting to his own birthday. In his birthday suit.

We all love and miss you Adam.

______________________________________________________

I stole this from a friends blog. It seems fitting today.

Adam defiantly started each day like it was his birthday.

Sundays

2011-05-02T14:15:00.001-05:00

Did you know that Sunday is my favorite day of the week? Well now you do. I L-O-V-E Sundays. I have 1 millions reasons why, not just one thing.

- It's the start of a fresh new week

- Grocery shopping day. I really do enjoy going to the grocery store, getting fresh veggies and fruit. Planning meals for the week. It sounds weird but it's one of my favorite things that Jeff and I do together every week, and Sunday is the day we do it.

- On a rainy or just lazy day you can spend it indoors catching a marathon on TV. I always find great marathons on TV on Sundays and just curl up on the couch.

- The gym is always empty on Sunday. Nice change of pace from the usually 5-6pm busy rush during the week. I can be on any machine for however long I wish!

- It's the one day Jeff and I can both be off. Between work, marathon training, and life, Sunday is the one day we try and spend some QT together.

- Crawfish boils are great Sunday activities right now.

- Nothing beats a Sunday brunch! There are so many GREAT brunch places in Austin.

- Laundry and cleaning day. Not my favorite thing to do but I usually clean and do laundry for a couple hours on Sundays. It's nice to start the week with empty hampers, clean sheets, and a wiped down kitchen counter.

- And on a new note, Sundays are usually race days! So now that I'm falling in love with this running thing, many of my Sundays will be spent bright and early at the start line.

Just thought I'd share my love for Sundays

words of wisdom

2011-04-30T23:34:00.001-05:00

"Sometimes the things you want the most don’t happen and what you least expect happens. I don’t know — you meet thousands of people and none of them really touch you. And then you meet that one person and your life is changed."

"She’s one of those girls who doesn’t know what she’s doing, but she wants to know everything will be worth it one day. She isn’t amazing at one thing, just good at a lot of things, and that’s all she’ll ever be. She wishes she could be different, but she lives her life to the fullest anyway. All she truly needs is love to keep her sane. She looks at her world like it’s a book, with pages being read every day. She’s her own worst enemy and hardest critic. She knows she has flaws and tries to accept them, even though she knows she never fully will. More than anything, though, she just wants to make a difference one day, and she wants someone to remember her name."

"Keep your heels, head, and standards high."

"When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow."

"Yes, it is hard, but God is mysteriously loving and sovereign in all that comes our way. To lose him as sovereign in that moment is to lose your hope for the future."

"We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love."

I'm cheating...

2011-04-28T20:28:00.000-05:00

I feel like this should be the title of my blog at least every 3 days since I started marathon training. I tried to give up sweets till the marathon...not working so well. I'm DETERMINED to go the whole last month with out sweets.

EEEEEEEEEK!

Anyway as you can tell sweets have been on my mind today, and I decided to go ahead a whip up a cake ((I remembered we had some mix and icing in the pantry already)). While wipping up the cake batch that is currently in the oven I got to thinking, this is a workout AND not to far off my diet ((you need to think outside the box with me here)). Here's why:

1. It's sugar free mix and icing. That technically can mean I'm not eating sweets right?!? RIGHT!

2. If you hand mix the batter it's quite a workout for your arms.

3. While your pretty creation is in the oven, do a couple of squats in order to check the status of your cake. BOOM! Leg workout!

I'm considering making a workout video. Anyone interested in buying it?

And the timer is going off. I need to get this baby out of the oven and myself in the shower. You see after I eat this ~~whole~~ piece of cake, I'm going to a fashion show of my dear friends. I'm going to LOVE showing off my cake infested body around all the hungry/skinny people.

my sweet tooth is calling...

2011-04-28T14:48:00.000-05:00

I just fell in love with a new blog! This no sweets till the marathon thing is about to go OUT the window real fast.

Head on over to Ourbestbites. These ladies are AAAAAmazing and create the most fascinating foods and snacks you can imagine.

These beautiful pieces of pure sugar caught my eye right away: Colorburst Cupcakes.

My oh My...

I really don't think life can get any sweeter than this.

I plan on attempting to make these this weekend. I'll be sure and let you know how they turn out.

running weekend

2011-04-28T13:47:00.000-05:00

BIG running weekend ahead friends!

20 miles on Saturday...my oh my. And if I'm still able to walk after that, I have signed myself up for a 5K Sunday morning. If your in the Austin area, or feel like making a trip this weekend I highly recommend signing up and participating in the 2011 BunRun. You can walk, run, bring your dog, bring your kids, and even skip if you want to. Just click here: BUNRUN and you can get all the information needed. It's a fun race benefiting Austin Sunshine Camps.

P.S. I'm soooooooooooooooo incredibly close to my fundraising goal. Don't forget to donate and help stomp out blood cancers. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to go above my goal and raise more. Remember only 1 month left to donate and 5 weeks till the big Marathon day!

testing 1.2.3.

2011-04-26T12:58:00.001-05:00

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feeling blessed today...

2011-04-21T12:16:00.001-05:00


I have been blessed 
And I feel like I've found my way 
I thank God for all I've been given 
At the end of every day 
I have been blessed 
With so much more than I deserve 
To be here with the ones that love me 
To love them so much it hurts 
I have been blessed

The best things in the world:

2011-04-20T10:28:00.001-05:00

1. Last minute plans that end up being written on my heart.

2. Falling asleep to the sound of rain.

3. Indulging in a sugar filled chocolate dessert with a glass of wine.

4. Snuggling up with my soft puppy.

5. Soaking in a bubble bath, lights out, lost in thought.

6. Dates on a weeknight with the most amazing girlfriends in the world.

7. Finding great pieces on the clearance rack.

8. Sundays spent with Jeffy roaming through the grocery store.

9. Mastering a new recipe and keeping it for the books.

10. Clean sheets after a long day.

11. Monday night movie nights with Jeffy.

12. Sitting on my parents porch with BBQ, friends, and family.

13. Laying in a hammock.

14. Staying in my pj's, watching movies on the couch, on a rainy day.

15. Perfect outdoor eating weather with great company.

mistakes

2011-04-19T13:17:00.000-05:00

I got to thinking yesterday about mistakes, judgement, forgiveness, and such. I don't know what got me on this track but it became an off and on process through out the day.

I'm 26 years old and I have made my fair share of mistakes. We all have. Those high school days where your life was so dramatic. Freshman year of college when you have all the freedom in the world. People make mistakes, do things that can't take back, losse friendships over boys, and disappoint their parents a time... or two. I think the most important thing is to learn from each mistake we make AND not to judge others for making mistakes. I'm guilty of the judging part. I forget that sometimes we need to learn things on our own and in our own time. I will admit I'm quick to judge and that's something I'm working on. I am, however, very good at seeing both sides of things. Which can be good and bad. I don't wish to change anything though. Yes I wish there are some things I never did or said, we all do. But I love the person I have become. I think all of the mistakes I made are what made me who I am today, and put me where I am today. I have an appreciation for life I don't think I would have without hitting ~~a few~~, maybe lots, of bumps in the road.

I guess what I'm getting at is when are we at the age where we forget the high school mistakes and move on? If your over 25 and making the ame mistakes will you ever learn from them? How long dose it take to forgive someone who really hurt you? Do we ever grow out of the high school/ sorority drama? Gosh I hope so but I know lots of girls who just can't seem to shake that part of their life. Every time I would come home crying about some silly girlfriend drama my mom would always say it's just a phase. It's not a phase though. It's who you choose to associate yourself with. If you surround yourself with people who are constantly having problems and creating drama, then you will always be contained by it.

You are who you surround yourself with.

But then I can argue, who am I to judge the way some people live their lives? I hate the way some people, I'm sure, viewed my life when I bar-tended. Some people look at stay at home moms and say it's not a real job...please for one second let me vent on that. Staying at home with your children is the MOST important job in the world. It is hard-work with hardly a moment of peace and quiet. My rule of thumb is until you have experienced a job or situation yourself, then you are not entitled to judge it.

I know that in the past I have hurt friends, boys, my parents, and others. There is one incident I wish I could take back and change, I always have wanted to. I've accepted that I can't and made peace with my childish mistakes. You have to, or what kind of life would you lead? My mistakes are also all in the open now. I have no secret past that I'm hiding, which makes it easier to forgive yourself for mistakes you've made. I know some old friends who have made mistakes that have remained secret, they think they are better then others because no one knows. You're only cheating yourself.

I know this post jumps form subject to subject. That's how it was in my mind yesterday. Sometimes I just find it therapeutic to out things in writing.

I'm signing off. Gym and a double date tonight for Austin Restaurant Week!

48hours

2011-04-18T10:53:00.001-05:00

What a weekend it was! Lemme tell you a story about a great weekend with great friends and family.

It all started at 5am...that's right 5AM on saturday morning. I woke up full of energy and ready to run my first official 1/2 marathon! Kelly, Kyler, and I drove out to Bastrop (about 30mins from Austin) for the Zoomba 1/2 marathon. It was awesome! Obviously not my favorite thing to do on a Saturday morning, but I loved it. I had a good run and finished in 2hours and 27minutes. It was such a cool feeling crossing that finish line and now I am even more excited about the full marathon coming up in ONLY 6 weeks! That's right 6 weeks left to donate friends, so if you haven't please feel free to click the link to your right and donate to help stomp out blood cancers!

After the race we scooped up Jeff and made our way to Houston for the LiL Wayne concert ((I'm not a big rap person by any means)). Jeff and Kyler love this rapper, so Kelly and I bought tickets for their birthdays. I must admit it was an AWESOME concert. There were multiple performers and they all put on a great show. We all had a blast and enjoyed a night away from Austin. We stayed in downtown Houston walking distance from the Toyota Center, where the concert was held. It was nice to take a little walk back to our hotel after the show. Yes I know this dose not sound safe at all, I was against it all along, we made it ok.

Sunday morning we all woke and up, packed our things, and headed to my parents for some BBQ before we hit the road back to Austin. I love my home in Houston and I hope my parents never leave there. Mom and Dad of course were the best hosts. We had food, drinks, snacks, cookies, pie, and everything you could imagine. My, oldest and dearest, friend Lara and her hubby Charlie came by for some BBQ as well. We all had a great time catching up and eating yummy food.

All in all it was a super weekend/48 hours and sadly I have no pictures to show for it! My camera died after 2 pictures at the concert :( I am determined to get better at taking more pictures, I have been slacking lately.

Have a great week everyone!

spoiled

2011-04-13T10:26:00.000-05:00

He really dosen't sleep with an eye mask. He does however sleep in the middle of the bed with his head on a pillow and sometimes under the covers. Pretty sure he thinks he is human.

Love this little pup!

it's only tuesday...

2011-04-12T12:46:00.000-05:00

It's only Tuesday and I already want to start packing for the weekend haha. What a weekend it's going to be. Hear this my friends...well read this I guess:

Friday night it's bed time as early as possible, Then Saturday morning BRIGHT AND EARLY I'm heading to Bastrop for the Zooma 1/2 marathon! So excited to run my first 1/2 marathon. I'm very nervous but so anxious to be at the start line. After the 1/2 marathon (and a shower) Kelly, Kyler, Jeffy and I will be heading to Houston for the Little Wayne Concert. Weird and random I know but Kyler and Jeffy like the rap music so Kelly and I bought the tickets for their birthdays. I think it'll be a fun adventure though. A lot to take in for one day but it'll fly by and I'll want to turn back time I'm sure. We're stoping by my parents on our way out Sunday afternoon for some BBQ and relaxation before we hit the road. They are so cute and excited, always love hosting those two.

So much to do between now and then, mainly making sure I have everything I need for the 1/2 marathon on Saturday. Energy boosters, chafing cream, extra clothes, plenty of hydration, the right socks...goodness so much to think about besides just running.

Anyways sorry I've been a bad blogger, life catches up with you sometimes. But I'll keep you updated on how the weekend goes!

10Things

2011-04-06T15:38:00.000-05:00

1. The chocolate moose last night was amazing

2. Glad I had it last night because I will not be having it for 2 months now...

3. I am officially registered for the 2001 Dodge Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego this June!

4. So excited that I'm bursting with energy today

5. My spin class teacher is going to be amazed at how fast I'm going tonight.

6. My company signed the check to be a corporate sponsor today as well which is amazing.

7. I'm a little terrified of our training schedule the next 8 weeks, but stoked at the same time.

8. I'm hoping Jeff gets me something pretty from here after my marathon as a "you just ran a marathon present"

9. We bought our plane tickets to the marathon on Monday...phew

10. I'M RUNNING A MARATHON IN 60 DAYS!!!

Don't forget DONATE DONATE DONATE!

chocolate and future

2011-04-05T22:09:00.000-05:00

Oh the Jeffy of mine is simply amazing. He's on his way over from work right now and stopping at whole foods just to grab me a little cup of chocolate moose. Have you had the chocolate moose from whole foods? MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM it is amazing. He s such a sweet sweet boy. So blessed to have had him in my life for the past 3 years! We were laughing the other day leaving the gym about how much our lives have changed since we first started dating. This June marks our 3 years anniversary, my first marathon, and we will be moving into our first place together. If you would've told either of us these three things we would've laughed in your face.

It always surprises me how much things can change in such little time. I think about 3 years from now and where our lives might be. Married with kids maybe? Well married for sure but the kids thing might be a little bit longer then 3 years (not if I have anything to say about it though). I hope to keep running marathons. My plan is 1 marathon a year, 2 half marathons, and multiple 5 and 10K's. I want to keep training with team in training, raising money for Leukemia and Lymphoma for as long as my body will take it.

Annnnnnnnnnnnd my chocolate moose is here. I'll let you know how it was tomorrow.

16 miles OH MY!

2011-04-05T13:23:00.000-05:00

This past saturday we ran 16 miles for our long run. 16MILES!! I am beyond proud of myself you have no idea. The first 4 were warm up, it usually takes me 4 miles to get into the swing of things and get a good pace going. The next 8 miles were great. Not hard at all, it was more repetitive than anything since we were running 4mile loops. That last loop, 4 miles, was tough. But Kelly and I powered through it and made it to the end and thank goodness we weren't the last ones!

I couldn't even relax when I got home that afternoon, I was beside myself that I had just done that. It was and still is such and amazing feeling. This training and marathon has really made an impact in my life. I know I am doing something amazing and for such a great cause but trust me I have my bad days where I just breakdown. Mainly over my fundraising. I still have time before all the money is due, I'm just a planner. I would've loved to had all the money by now and still be collecting above and beyond. After this first race and can train and race and not have to fundraise. But to me that's the whole point of training with team in training, raising money for a cause that affects everyone. Helping save someones life. I have family and family friends who will help out in the end if I don't reach my goal but I would like to do it on my own.

I have a new goal. Not to raise the most money but to have the most donators. I want to be the person who had the most caring group of family and friends. I want to show my team that I have an amazing support system full of people who all took the time and any amount of money to support me and this cause.

So please please please take 10 minutes out of your day, go to my donation page on the right hand side and donate anywhere from $1-$100. I can't imagine how amazing it will look to have my page full of donors! Please pass this to family and friends and help stomp out BloodCancer!

XOXO

Reesa

paper-crown

2011-03-31T13:04:00.000-05:00

I cannot wait for this line to come out! I love Lauren Conrad and just adore her since of style. I was so sad when her first collection ended and the Kohl's collection just dosen't do it for me, though I have found a few pieces I like. Here are some of my favorites from her new line paper-crown. Keeping my fingers crossed someone picks it up here in Austin...just another reason for me to open my own boutique.

I love that they are such classic pieces and you can really play them up or down depending on how you choose to accessorize. I can see myself in every piece in her look book. Fall 2011 cannot come soon enough.

Give a little..

2011-03-29T14:57:00.001-05:00

I know that I don't KNOW most of you out there reading me. I haven't really made this blog public to friends and family. Most of them stumbled upon it accidentally and the only link I have to it is on twitter and I only have like 5 friends on there...lame I know.

Anyways your generosity is still greatly appreciated for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I agreed to raise $2,900 for my marathon. 75% is directly donated to the society, 25% is towards my race fees and food while I'm there. I'm having a harder time than I thought raising the funds. I'm guessing and hoping most people just put it off at the moment and will donate later. EVERY penny helps and will help save someones life! So I'm asking you, strangers who have a slight interest in a 20 somethings world, to please help me and donate. Pass the link on to family and friends. This money isn't for me, it's for people fighting to live.

I could've trained alone and paid my own race fee and still made it to the marathon. I CHOOSE to train with Team in Training because I would be doing something for more then just myself. So please help by donating or spreading the word to others. We are all just six degrees of separation and can all use a little help from someone unknown in our lives. Here is the link to my donation page:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sctx/rnr11/rbergerihz

Also if anyone wants to send a check, please email me at reesa(dot)berger(at)gmail for the address.

Thank you for reading me! I still find it hard to believe anyone besides myself and my sister actually read this but it is much appreciated and can't wait to continue telling you about all of my life's adventures!

Best Wishes!

Reesa

Cap10K

2011-03-29T14:29:00.000-05:00

I ran my first race EVER this past Sunday and couldn't be more proud of myself.

I never would have thought when 2011 started I would be training 6 days a week and waking up at 6am on a beautiful Sunday to run a 10K. I am loving the change of lifestyle. I feel so much healthier. The race was such an amazing experience. I even got teary eyed at the end. Such a great sense of accomplishment. Monday morning I started looking up more races to practice in before the big MARATHON on June. I know I know 6 miles is nothing compared to 26.2 but after finishing the Cap10K on Sunday I had more confidence then ever about running the marathon. My roommate Jen ran it with me and kept up the whole time which is pretty impressive for someone who probably hasn't ran more then 1 mile in a couple of years. She has no desire to run a half or full marathon with me though. Next race is in April, half marathon in Bastrop! So excited!

Sweet Sweet Jeffy got up at 8am Sunday morning after working till 5am just to come watch me finish my first race. I'm so glad he was there. He really has been such an amazing and patinent person through this training process. He truly is the most amazing man I have ever met. I've had many emotional breakdowns and he has been right there cheering me on and encouraging me to continue trying my hardest. I'm not going to lie it has been very hard at times. My body is worn out and sometimes I really have to push myself to get in the gym when all I want do is nap after work. I have been sticking to my routine and pushing myself harder everyday.

In other news we have started picking up little things here and there for our new place. Bedding has been ordered even though now I think I have changed my mind, could've seen that one coming. We snagged two gorgeous mirrored nightstands from target, some glasses and silverware from home goods, and a very bright and colorful tray from Pire1. So excited for June to come, so many life changing events that lie ahead.

I'm so grateful for everything God has blessed me with. I'm finally back to my old self and appreciating everything life has to give you!

Have a SUPER day blog world!

Oh the choices...

2011-03-22T11:20:00.000-05:00

I thought we had made up our minds on the bedding for the new place. I have not. I want all of them:

This is the one I thought we were both sold on not in blue though. It would be in the dark (Slate) grey in the picture below this one.

I originally wanted this:

But I think it's too plain now and white bedding just seems impossible to keep clean right?

Today I found this:

Really fell in love with the blue and the touch of tie dye. Maybe a little young though.

Here are a few runners up that I haven't been able to forget about:

These last 2 grow on me more and more each time I stare at them

DecisionsDecisions.

greenday...litterally

2011-03-17T11:14:00.000-05:00

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY/GREEN DAY!

Green has never been my favorite color, although I do not di-like green. I do love dressing in green on St. Patriks day though. I just think it's fun and it helps me in the morning narrow down my outfit options to only a few choices. Today I'm wearing this little number that I just adore:

Minus the belt though. Paired with my favorite wedges, a feather necklace, and a fake tan ha. Feeling very Irish today and loving it!

If you happen to be one of the many who forgot I found some quick fixes for you:

Obviously your not going to go buy green Tory Burch flats, but they were too cute not to post. Aslo remember Target always has tons of green accessories and such that are probably already marked down. OH and Old Navy always has some little in-expensive things too.

Have a wonderful and green filled day everyone!

Just a little hello

2011-03-16T10:59:00.001-05:00

Jeff is only off one night this week because of SXSW and last night was it. Did we do anything special? Nope. Typical night unlike any other for us. We cooked some delicious filets accompanied by asparagus and some cheesy potatoes au gratin then grabbed some frozen yogurt and made a pit stop by blockbuster. The blockbuster by us is closing so we wanted to go snag some cheap movies...sadly they were closing for the night after about a minute of stepping inside. So we grabbed a redbox movie headed home and called it a night.

Speaking of movies I saw the BEST movie the other day. We rented and IFC film off on demand for about $7, a lot I know. It was after my run Saturday morning and I just wanted to lay on the couch and watch movies all day. I have an obsession with all things Natalie Portman since Black Swan so when we previewed this movie I looked to Jeff and said "Sorry buddy we're getting this one". It was honestly one of the best movies and saddest movies I have ever seen. I cried through 75% of the movie. Portman is beyond amazing in it. You can watch the trailer HERE. But you need to see the full thing. The trailer really only tells 1/2 the story. I hope if you see it that you love it just as much as I do. This is one I will be purchasing to keep for sure.

Well it's just a short Hello post today. I'm off to lunch then working from home the rest of the afternoon. Have a great hump day everyone!

P.S. Don't forget to donate and help me stomp out Cancer! Every penny counts!

Manic Mondays

2011-03-14T14:05:00.000-05:00

Monday always comes too fast right? Or is it Sunday ends too early?

SXSW is here! If you don't know what SouthBySouthWest is...it IS the craziest week in Austin. Music, film, interactive, people from all over come here for SXSW. Every hotel is booked, every restaurant has a wait, there are no parking spots downtown, BUT it is such an experience. I have never been able to experience SXSW to it's fullest since the past 4 years I have been bar-tending through out the festival but just being a local during the week is pretty cool. SXSW literally takes over the city for a full week. It really is a great week for this wonderful city!

In other news training is going good. Taking a break this week from running though. I'm still doing my cycle classes and such but no running due to some tight muscles that need a rest. Came at a great time though since I'll be busy by day at my job and busy by night helping out for SXSW. Poor Jeffy is working everyday this week for SXSW. And ladies and gents when you work SXSW your working 12 hour shifts with live bands constantly playing with maybe a minute break in between.

In GREAT news one of my good friends Laurie finally moved back to Texas yesterday! She made the long 2 day drive from Atlanta back to her heart herein Texas. She got an amazing internship at The Boudoir Queen here in Austin. She is such a wonderful friend and just all around sweet person. She'll be bunking with us for the week till her new place is ready. That means 3 girls, 3 dogs, and 2 cats all under one roof. Oh my Goodness it's going to be a hectic week.

The Bachelor season finale is tonight too. I must say it's a little weird watching this show when you actually know the guy. But I am excited to see who he picks, even though I already googled and found spoilers on realitysteve. I think both ladies are great choices for wives.

Anyways back to work then off to the gym for some bike riding today! Have a great week everyone and if your in Austin be nice to the out of towners please.

xoxo

all my love to you...Urban Outfitters

2011-03-09T11:21:00.000-06:00

Urban Outfitters is going to rob my bank account when we move! I'm loving so many things there right now. I've collected a few photos to share, things I cannot wait to place perfectly in my new place! My decorating style changes every week...this is bad I know. Sometimes I want my place to be very neutral and romantic with soft colors and pretty florals everywhere. Other times I want a very modern bold look with the "less is more" idea. This month I'm leaning more towards the eclectic movement (which i think is going to work best in a male/female home). I love the idea of just pretty much throwing a bunch of things we love together and some how making it work.

We have a lot of the same taste. I do tend to go more romantic but then we compromise in the middle somehow. The bedding we have agreed on which I thought was going to be the most difficult part. Now if only I can get him to approve this shower curtain you're aout to embark on....

1. For our downstairs "guest bathroom" I love this rug! It's just a small powder room so anything bigger would take over the bathroom. I just love the bright colors and crazy print.

And how cute would this little elephant be sitting on the bathroom counter! I have this new thing for elephants and I have no idea where it came from.

2. Since it is our first place together I've been leaning toward little heart decorations here and there. Just to show our love...sounds corny I know but when your moving in with the love of your life for the first time you tend to get the butterfly feeling in your stomach all over again. Well until moving day that is, anyway this heart shaped cutting board will make an excellent addition to our kitchen.

Along with this sweet hanging chalkboard to leave notes and messages to.

3. Little plates and ceramic bowls have been crossing my mind a lot lately. They are so chap and easy to find and I'm sure I can think of multiple uses for them. I can imagine this little guy sitting on a tale by the front door to place our keys in...

And this little guy in my bathroom for jewelry while washing my hands.

4. The shower curtain! I think it's just beautiful and I'm determined to get this into our bathroom somehow. I might have to add a Kobe Bryant picture somewhere in the living room as a compromise.

Add the striped rug for under the sink....Not an exact match but I don't want it too matchy matchy. I've really been loving the mix and match prints in the fashion and decor world.

And of course add this perfect elephant painting and my future bathroom is shaping up quite nicely.

Thank you Urban Outfitters for not only existing but bringing so many wonderful colors and patterns to my world! I'm positive in the next 3 months we will be seeing much more of each other!

Thoughts? Do you love Urban Outfitters too? What are some of your go to stores when looking to re-decorate?

can't complain

2011-03-08T14:28:00.000-06:00

Life is good.

No complaints here. Marathon training is going good besides some minor injuries, aches and pains...all expected though. Job is good. Boyfriend is amazing as always. Girlfriends are such a blessing we take advantage of too often.

To catch you up o life in general is pretty normal and boring. Between training, working and Jeffy, my life is pretty routine right now and it's kind of a nice change of pace. Sunday is my absolute favorite day. It's the one day out of the week Jeff and I can really spend time together. It's usually spent cleaning, laundry, grocery store, gym and a movie...pretty boring. But it's a day all to our selves and usually pretty calm and quite.

Other then that it's pretty much work everyday followed by gym or running outside, then cooking dinner, shower and some t.v. before bed. Every now and then we'll have a birthday dinner or double date, or the occasional girls night with my favorites. I never thought I'd be the type to like the routine lifestyle but I really do. I know that once a house and kids some into the picture I will pray for my life to be more routine so I am enjoying these last couple of years before chaos begins.

As far as training goes it's become an addiction. I'm finally learning to stop for a day or two when something is hurt so I don't make it worse. I've quit smoking, quit drinking (besides the occasional glass of wine), cut out all soda and have been eating pretty healthy for the most part. Although I cheat pretty bad on Sundays. I'm really enjoying my Team in Training team. We have an amazing group of people who are all very encouraging and positive. I think more then anything I like being a part of a team again. I miss those drill team days so this has kind of taken over that void. I'm already looking into the next marathon I want to run after this one haha.

Another thing keeping me busy is getting everything ready for our new and first place together! I am beyond excited for our new place, the layout, the complex and of course my new roommate... Jeffy. I know it to some moving in together before marriage is not the right thing to do and I struggled with this decision for quite some times and finally realized that this is OUR life together and the final decision should be based only on each others thoughts and feelings. And now I just can't wait to move in and decorate and make it the perfect little home. I have been reading blog after blog about DIY's and decorating tips. So if you have any great tips feel free to let me know!

That's all for now blog world!

oh happy day

2011-02-24T14:55:00.000-06:00

Even though I'm still fighting this cold I found my self in the best mood this week. I've been frustrated about not being able to run due to being ill and decided to just relax let it run it's course and be happy. Once I did that everything just sort of fell into place.

Jeff and I found out we got the town home we were looking to rent in June (There was a wait-list). So we quickly wrote a check and now we officially have our first place together starting June 8th! It so nice to know that between work and marathon training and just life in general I no longer have to search for a place to live come June. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh so nice!

Also in other GREAT news my wonderful talented designer and sweet sweet friend Laurie will be finally moving back to Austin in 2 weeks! So happy for her to finally be back and all the amazing things ahead of her.

Anyways just wanted to share my happiness with you all.

How are your weeks going?

day dreaming

2011-02-16T14:34:00.000-06:00

Just a quick hump day post. If I had my dream closet it would look something like these. All mixed together. One day we will build a house and this dream will come true...one day.

Till then I will keep collecting fabulous items to house in my dream closet.

addiction

2011-02-14T11:09:00.000-06:00

So I'm pretty sure I have become addicted to running now. I got a minor injury after Zumba class (which is amazing and so much fun. All should try it) on Wednesday night and have not been able to run since! And I'm going crazy! I'm going to give it a shot tonight and hopefully I've been healed after my 3 day rest. It's an itch in me now and I haven't been able to scratch it. It's funny I used hate going to the gym and working out. Now I love it and I think it has a lot to do with it being more than just running. I'm raising money and running for a cause. To help someones life become better. I know that has put the extra "umph" so to speak in me to get out there and train hard for this marathon.

Hope everyone is having a great VALENTINES DAY <3! Pray that I can run tonight and not have to use an ice pack after :(

lust

2011-02-11T23:37:00.001-06:00

These are a few ideas and things I'm lusting after for our new place come this summer. Have I mentioned we move the week after the marathon! It kinda of works out perfect for me because I hate the actual moving part, but I love the unpacking and organizing part. So my excuse all week will be I just ran a marathon I can't lift boxes! Perfect right? Again...poor Jeffy :)

Anyway here are some inspiration pictures I'm lusting after:

Loving these 3 living rooms. Especially the eclectic style and round ottoman used as a coffee table n the middle picture.

We won't have an "office room" but I would love for the desk area to look something like this. I love the small simple desk. I'm not a huge fan and the overside take up 2 walls desks.

And the bedroom! I'm obsessed with mirrored furniture and would die to have this mirrored canopy bed but in reality I will settle for these fantastic mirrored nightstands.

Can't wait to move into our first place together and watch it come together as ours! Knowing me I'll have every detail planned out before we even move in. I'm already sketching out ideas for the closet. It's very small for 2 people but I'm determined to make it work!

Have great weekend everyone! Marathon update next week!

training day 5

2011-02-02T14:04:00.000-06:00

When I signed up for this marathon I wasn't exactly fully informed of how much time and dedication this was going to be. Today will be day 5 of training and so far my life consists of work, train, eat, shower,sleep and repeat. So as you can tell this will be my social life for the next 5 months. Thankfully Kelly is doing this with me and we get along great so we won't get to bored with the same routine. We've already come up with ideas to spice our training up a little bit. We will definitely be making our own race day shoes on nike.com with all the neon colors you can imagine!

I know the end result will be well worth all the time and training and I'm sure once this first month passes i'll be so used to it, that it won't even phase me. I'm just ready to fast forward to that first month.

Don't forget to vist my marathon page to your right ---------------------------->
I'll be updating about our training on there more then here!

Stay warm!

marathon!

2011-01-31T11:07:00.000-06:00

Ladies and Gentlemen take your seats. This may be a bit of a shock to most of you.....I'M RUNNING A MARATHON! June 5th 2011 in sunny San Diego I will be running 26.4 miles. This is not something I have always wanted to do. No I am not a runner or in shape, but come June 5th I will be.

I'm training with TNT- Team in Training. A little about TNT from their website:

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training (TNT) is the world's leading sports charity training program. TNT's dynamic, hands-on training program enables participants to realize their dream of completing a marathon, half marathon, triathlon, century ride or hike adventure.

TNT participants get individualized training programs created by certified coaches; mentors to assist with fundraising; and the support from teammates who share their goals. To further ensure a great experience, TNT also provides great clinics on topics like gear, apparel, nutrition and injury prevention. TNT handles all the arrangements for the fabulous event weekend so you can focus on your race.

I am very excited about this journey ahead and can't wait to cross the finish line. I know this will be such and amazing experience and I am beyond excited to be a part of something such as TNT.

I need to raise $2,900 for the marathon. 75% of this is donated to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training and the other 25% will go toward my food, hotel and travel. If you have any questions or would like more information please feel free to e-mail me at reesa(dot)berger(@)gmail. Even if it's only $10 every little bit counts and can help. Feel Free to pass this along to anyone and everyone. Here is the link to my donation page if your feeling generous. Remember it can also be a tax write off. Every penny helps and is donated to a great cause. I'm going to try my best and raise more than my goal!

I will be trying to update as much as possible about my progress, pain, and suffering...I kid. Seriously though I will be trying to post as much as possible to keep anyone who wants to follow along updated on how this experience is.

We started training bright and early this past Saturday at 7am. 4 miles was the goal for the day. Kelly (my friend who is running with me) and I ran 2 miles. Seeing as neither one of us are runners and work out maybe once a month we started with 2 miles. However we felt so excited after our first 2 miles at team practice that after we got some breakfast and some much needed supplies we ran the other 2 miles! I felt it yesterday and still feeling it today. My thighs my cavs all over. I know that once I get past this first month of training I will be less sore and the training will be more of a routine.

Hope everyone is having a good Monday. Not looking forward to the cold weather later this week. BUUUURRRRR!

grey

2011-01-27T16:36:00.000-06:00

I always find my thoughts and moods in songs. A couple of days...maybe weeks ago this song was being played over and over. I always tend to find songs that fit my mood and play them over and over till it changes. It's funny to me how someone I've never known can make me feel like they are singing directly to me. Make me feel as if they are sometimes inside my mind and helping me spill out my thoughts. I wonder if artists out there realize how much of an impact they really do have?

Oh look at how she listens

She says nothing of what she thinks

She just goes stumbling through her memories

Staring out onto Grey St.

And she thinks...hey

How did I come to this

I dreamed myself thousand times around the world

But I can't get out of this place

There's an emptiness inside her

And she'd do anything to fill it in

But all the colors mix together

To grey, and it breaks her heart

Oh how she wishes it was different

She prays to God most every night

And though she swears He doesn't listen

There's still a hope in her He might

She says I pray

But they fall on deaf ears

Am I supposed to take it on myself

To get out of this place

There's a loneliness inside her

And she'd do anything to fill it in

And though it's red blood bleeding from her now,

It feels like cold blue ice in her heart

When all the colors mix together

To grey, and it breaks her heart

There's a stranger speaks outside her door

Says take what you can from your dreams

Make them real as anything

It will take the work out of the courage

She says please

There's a crazy man that's creeping outside my door

I live on the corner of Grey Street

And the end of the world

Oh there's an emptiness insider her

And she'd do anything to fill it in

And though it's red blood bleeding from her now

It's more like cold blue ice in her heart

She feels like kicking out all the windows

And setting fire to this life

She could change everything about her

Using colors bold and bright

But all the colors mix together

To grey

And it breaks her heart...Oh and it breaks her heart

To grey, Yeah...

Grey Street, By: Dave Matthews Band

an elephant never forgets....

2011-01-13T23:05:00.000-06:00

i would never in my life want to be a reality tv star. i would never want america to see my day to day life. i would however love to one day hire someone to just record my life. there are so many things that happen that i always forget...maybe i just have a horrible memory but i find myself digging through my small little brain for old one liners and funny comments i said or heard before.

im also one of those girls who never has a good come back till about an hour later. i would love to hit a rewind button and be able to say something, even though id probably forget by the time i rewinded.

in other words my memory SUCKS! i thought you weren't suppose to loose your mind for another 50 years or so? mines gone. i find myself forgetting the simplest things lately and its starting to worry me. pretty sure i might one day just forget i have a dog and leave him outside...poor cooper. i need someone to follow me around and record my life for my eyes only.

is this request too much to ask for? i dont see why it would be. i just need one guy and one camera. well and a lot of film.

grace

2011-01-07T15:14:00.000-06:00

I read on a frieds blog that she is focusing on one word a year. Each year, instead of compiling a long list of things you want to do to fix yourself and make your life better, just focus on one word. Any word. Not a word that you are not, but a word that you aspire to be. There's a slight difference.

My word this year is grace. I need it big time.

I need to learn to accept grace when I do something that I am ashamed of or act out in a way that makes me want to hide.

I need to learn to give others grace when they don't do things how I would or if they don't live up to my unrealistic expectations.

I need to learn to have grace in my relationship because there are two very imperfect people at work in there who both need a lot of forgiveness and patience.

I need to learn to allow grace in my daily life when things are out of order and not lined up just right for the uber-organized, Type-A control-freak who lives inside of me.

I need grace daily and I need to repeat this word daily, hourly, moment by moment.

Here we go 2011, I'll handle you with Grace.

Christmas Shopping...Oh My!

2010-12-06T13:47:00.000-06:00

This year I have been trying to be as creative AND frugal with my Christmas presents. I must say I surprised myself with some of the ideas I came up with.

My sister is easy, we always get each other a new pair of PJ's from VS. Sounds simple, and it is, but I actually look forward to new sleep wear every year.

Mom and Dad- These kids are hard. Especially dad. But I got him ( and gave to him already) this really nice painted picture of Texas back in the day framed in all. It was quite expensive so I'm letting that be his early gift this year. I was going to buy my mother and I tickets to go see the Rocket's this year but the dates caused a conflict with our schedules so I'm still working on hers.

Jeff's parents- We made a photobook on mypublisher.com of all the kids and grandkids. I think they both adore this book and love having some portable photos to share.

Nieces and Nephews- For my nephews I found this adorable tee pee at Kirklands that I can only imagine them sitting in and laughing at each other. I'm also grabbing them some cute StarWars cookie cutters from William Sonoma. Jeff's niece is getting a comfy sweater and beanie from gap kids, she's into fashion these days. We got his 1 year old nephew this little hoops set which is perfect coming from basketball fanatic Jeff.

All overs I can't say on here until after given in fear they we see this and the surprise will be ruined. But I assure you they are gifts that keep giving for years to come.

I've only got 3 more gifts to go and them I am DONE! So excited to hopefully be done with Christmas shopping by the end of this week. Such a relief!

Back to the grind...

2010-11-29T10:30:00.001-06:00

I'm usually really good about taking pictures and uploading them but lately I seem to keep forgetting I even own a camera. This is very annoying to me! Oh well I'm going to try my absolute hardest to be better and capturing little frozen moments in time.

Thanksgiving weekend was pretty amazing. Jeff and I headed to Waco Wednesday afternoon and what could've been an hour and a half drive was 3 hours. UHG that traffic was horrible. But we made it and spent the evening with my family. We took Christmas pictures and went to Rudy's BBQ for dinner. Obviously no one wanted to cook that night and BBQ just sounded delicious! The next day we all chipped in and got the Thanksgiving feast ready and were joined by my brother-in-laws sister Melanie and her man Peter. Never a dull moment or conversation at the dinner table when all of us are together. I really enjoy listening to my dads stories sometimes. Especially when we know that some of them are a little over exaggerated haha.

After lunch we got on the road back to Austin for the game and Jeff had to work. I was super excited to meet up with my oldest friend Lara who I had not seen in forever. She was in town with her husband and sister in laws family for the game and the two girls ran the turkey trot that morning. We met up and watched the game downtown. One little aggie girl on a street full of longhorns. It was so nice to get to catch up with her. It's very refreshing having a lifelong friend like her. It seems like no matter how long we go without having time to catch up we pick up like we had just talked yesterday. It's kinda the same way with our dad's they are defiantly 2 peas in pod and have this bond between them I don't even think I could explain if I tried.

Friday afternoon Jeff and I braved the crowds to see if there were any good deals for us. We did some damage but all in all got a few things we both really needed. We also got season 1 of BigBangTheory. I love this show! It's still running but Jeff and needed to get caught up and we've already finished season 1. (I'm hoping he gets season 2 today while I'm hard at work). Friday night was low key. We stayed in, watched movies, hung out with the cooper and stayed warm. Last night though we went to dinner and a movie. Dinner was amazing, we went to Macaroni Grill which neither of us had been to in years. MMMMMMMMM sooooooo GOOD! The movie choice was hard, there are so many out right now that I'm dying to see. I also love going to the movies and would go every night if I could. We choose Fair Game and it was very entertaining. I suggest it to anyone who is into govn't/CIA/ conspiracy theory entertainment (which we both are). One thing I loved about the movie is that it kept my attention the whole time. I was super tired but was completely compelled to the movie.

So that was our Holiday weekend. Nothing to exciting or fancy. Just quality time spent with loved ones and a weekend full of thanks.

be thankful

2010-11-22T09:54:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was just one of those funky moods day. You know the one where you just feel exhausted and don't have the energy to do anything but lie in bed and feel sorry for whatever may not be perfect in your life. I tend to get frustrated easily and let little petty things get to me way to much. Then this morning I was reading a friends blog and she mentioned how a few days ago she felt the same frustration yet blessed at the same time. Perked me right up reading her post.

I am so thankful for my life and everything God has given me. I have an amazing family who I miss daily. Some great friends that will always be there for me. The sweetest most patient man in my life who is so kind to everyone. Two great jobs where I enjoy the company of everyone I work with. Just simply blessed.

I find it easy these days to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the world and hard to just sit back and look around realizing how truly amazing life is. Sure I've had some rough times, who hasn't. Sure I think why did this happen to me? But there are going to be rough times and I truly think there are reasons behind everything. I know in my heart God will not give me anything I cannot handle rather on my own or with some help from loved ones.

I just kicked myself this morning after reading her blog and reminded myself how wonderful my life is and can be if you just stay positive. Remember the "song" Free to wear sunscreen? I downloaded it last night and that message alone is pretty great when you take the time and listen to what he's saying.

Found a copy here (with words). Maybe this will perk you up if your having a funky mood day also.

Happy Turkey week!

blog slacking

2010-11-15T13:48:00.000-06:00

I'm slacking in the blogging world this month. Well honestly I don't feel like there is much to blog about right now. Ha even though my life seems to be constantly moving at in increasing pace each day it's not to exciting from my view.

In other news my amazing wonderful super friend Kelly moved in with her future hubby Kyler this weekend and I am in love with their new place. Jeffy and I went over yesterday to check it out and absolutely fell in love with the complex and layout of the small but efficient 1 bedroom. I'm very picky about layouts, flooring, shelving, storage ect. and thank goodness Jeff kind of is too. Anyways this place was perfect. Small but not to small, it's a pretty great size a a young couple with small income and not a lot of stuff, but plenty of storage for all that extra stuff we all hang on to. Great kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. Wood flooring throughout. 50inch flat screen included in the living room. Brand new top of the line washer/dryer included. GREAT closet space and good size master bedroom. The bathroom is really simple and nice and this is my only issue with the place: the bathroom has very little counter space. I've always gotten he master in 2/2 apartments which means I've always had the long counter top in the bathroom. BUT this is a small price to pay for the amazing layout and price of this place. Hopefully in June we can all be neighbors and have dinner parties!

The way my brain works I'm already online today looking for decorating ideas, colors and furniture for our new place that's 7 months away. Haha. Believe me i will have everything we need for that place ready to go 1 month before we even move in. I have a folder on my work computer with images and fabric swatches for inspiration. I will not sleep once we move in till everything is in place and fully decorated. Again, poor Jeff. He deserves presents all the time for dealing with me. (I did buy him some things online today from under armor...shhhhh).

That's all for now! Happy Monday.

such a sad world we live in...

2010-11-09T11:20:00.001-06:00

Have you heard about this? This really makes me sick to my stomach that some people would react this way to a 5 YEAR OLD playing dress up!

Nerdy Apple Bottom is a blog by a mother and her latest entry is about her 5 year old son who wanted to dress up as the girl from Scooby Doo for Halloween. This story has gone national and she was even interviewed on CNN recently from all the attention it has brought upon her family. More then 1 million people have viewed her blog and over 40,000 comments have been made.

I have to say I could not agree with her MORE! It is so sad to think that it wasn't even the kids in his classroom frowning upon his costume choice but the mothers and adults around. So immature and flabbergasting that some people are raising their children to be judgmental like this. Why is this such an issue? They are so many devastating things going on in the world right now and America is wasting their breath talking about a 5 year old who picked a creative Halloween costume.

I hope that I can be 1/2 the mother this mother seems to be and allow my future children to express themselves and just be kids while they still can be. Who cares, what damage is this sweet little boy doing by choosing this Halloween costume?

It never fails.

2010-11-02T16:20:00.000-05:00

Every year for the past 5 years i have been sick over Halloween. Last year I thought I broke the curse, but have no fear I am sick once again Halloween week. At least this year I made it till the actual night of Halloween and started to get really sick yesterday and today. I don't know what it is about this week that my body can never handle. I think it might just be the changing of the seasons summer to fall. I'm not sure but it is getting very old.

Hope everyone had a great Halloween filled with sugar, family and friends. This will be all for my post today, I'm crawling back into bed with my soup that's boiling right now and corny TV movies.

Ed's advanced white belt test 4

2010-10-25T14:48:00.000-05:00

the little ones...

2010-10-25T13:35:00.001-05:00

Couple of weeks ago I went to a friend of mines baby shower and got to see the wonderful and growing up so fast SQUISHY! He's becoming quite the handsome little fella and will soon have all the girls fighting over him:

Then this past week Jeffy and I traveled to Waco to watch my oldest nephew play in one of his last baseball games of the season. I couldn't believe how some of the parents/grandparents were with these darling little 8 and 9 year olds. I mean they were into winning this game. It was too cute watching these little guys though, some of them got so upset when they struck out and others just couldn't wait to get back in the dug out to hang out with their friends.

My youngest nephew and Jeff volunteered to be the score keepers and hung out in the score booth the whole game. They were too cute up there. Ed was taking it so very seriously and Jeff was just having fun listening to Ed ramble on with his impressive vocabulary.

All in all it was a great trip down to see my sis and her family. Those boys are going to be teenagers before I know it! Here are A LOT of pics form the evening in Waco:

you can't tell but Lee's team is the Rangers and I'm wearing an old Rangers Little League jersey in support.

Ed and Jeffy heading up to keep score

LeeMo up to bat

Score keepers goofing off

I just ADORE this picture ^

That's all for now folks. Happy Monday.

The Big Move

2010-10-18T12:06:00.000-05:00

I would love feed back from this post, even if you stumbled upon it and don't even know me or anything about me.

Come June my lease will be up and I have defiantly decided I am too old and too OCD for a roommate anymore. Jeff and I will be together 3 years in June. Yes we talk about the future and marriage and kids but we are not ready for marriage quite yet. We both would like to be more stable in our own lives before we get married. We spend all of our free time together and no each pothers habits good and bad. My question of the day is what is your opinion about living together before marriage? I'll give you a little bit of my opinion plus my moms...they are VERY different.

Me- To me it just makes sense to move in with someone before you marry them. Goodness you learn so much about a person when yo live with them. I mean how many friendships have been ruined from living together. Also were not thinking about moving in together so we cans hack it up every night. My mom's generation everyone got married young so they could make babies so to speak. Flash forward 35 years and times have changed. Money is a huge factor too for me. instead of spending $800 a month on rent plus paying all utilities alone I'd be around 1grand a month, split 2 ways though would save $500 a month. That's a lot, and Jeff and i's argument for not getting married int he next year is that we both want to have some more money saved up. My parent generation is so different then mine and we do butt heads on certain issues and opinions. I will however never make this move with out their blessing. Their opinion and and how they think of me matters the most and if they say come closer to June they would be heartbroken then $1000 a month it'll be.

My mom- Just plain out thinks you shouldn't be living together till marriage. I know my dad doesn't like the idea but I have a feeling when he hears some of my reasons for it he might be easier to persuade then mom. Dad likes to act like the tough one sometimes, but he's really not. I honestly think they might think Jeff will move in with me and not like me anymore haha. Anyway she's open to the idea for discussion but she's not for it at all right now. She's claiming if we were engaged it would be OK, but we're not mom. And she adds all these studies about people who get divorced because they lived together first. I find those to be full of it. Unless you are interviewing the WHOLE population it's not an accurate number.

Anyway there is my question of the week so let me know what you think. I really would love some outside opinions on either side.

Thank blogworld

MindOverHeart

2010-10-15T14:55:00.002-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I got to thinking about something my therapist said to me when I first met her. (I no longer go, that's a whole other story) Anyways I was explaining what happened to bestest and Adam and she stopped me in the middle and asked me if I realized I was talking about them in present tense. I didn't realize it but I also didn't see anything wrong with it. She explained that might be why I'm kind of stuck in this in between stage of grieving. First of all I believe after something tragic happens such as death there is no right way to grieve, no time limit on where you should be in the process (one of the reasons I stopped seeing her). She said that in my mind I know what happened and that they are not hear and that's why I am able to talk about the story of how they passed. But in my heart I don't even except it. She said in my heart I still think of them as alive which is why I talk about them in the present and why my emotions don't take over me when talking about them.

GREAT! Maybe it's just me but I would love to always be able to think of someone as still here with me and not burst into tears every time I talk about them. Maybe it's not healthy in some peoples eyes. But what is healthy? What is the correct way to cope with the death of a loved one? 2 loved ones? back to back? News Flash: THERE IS NO CORRECT WAY.! so I guess now you can kinda figure out why I stopped seeing her. Don't get me wrong she was super sweet and I guess I'm just not up for the whole "I can feel them in the room right now as your talking about them", No you can't because bestest would probably slap me and tell me to stop wasting money on you. But that's me. I know a lot of people who Therapy has helped and done a great deal of good for them.

One thing she also said to me is I like to do things on my own or in my own way. Very true, which should have been a red flag that I wasn't going to want her help.

In my mind I can remember everything that happened. But in my heart it never did. Both of their phone numbers are still in my phone. I finally stopped texting bestest when someone else replied. (That was a weird moment). But I can't find myself to look at picture and just start crying. I guess to me I associate death with growing old, being sick, an accident, but not dying in your sleep when your 24 years old. There is something about that to me that I cannot grasp and probably never will and I'm perfectly OK with that. I guess where this post might be going is that don't let anyone tell you how to emotionally deal with something. Sure I had a rough time, I still am having a rough time, but I'm doing it at my own pace and I'm working through it and living through it in a way that is best for me.

I'll leave you with a few oldie but goodie pictures of bestest and I.

Bestest turns 21

The night we survived our car wreck

Never a dull moment

First time we saw each other after her Europe trip

LoveMyBestestWithAllMyHeart!

Oh Halloween...

2010-10-14T09:30:00.001-05:00

So I've never really jumped on the Halloween dress like a playboy bunny ban wagon. Honestly I think I only enjoyed Halloween freshman year of college and my friend Melissa and I dressed as the mafia (blank pants, suspenders, white tank, and a hat). Other then that I've always had a test the next day and never went out or for the past 4 Halloweens I've been working at the bar, (It's too good of a night).

But I've never really been into it like most of the girls in Austin are. See here it's pretty much an excuse to dress up like a Victoria secret model, put animal ears on your head and call it a day. I always have a hard time coming up with costume ideas that are 1. warm 2. I'm able to work in and 3. don't look like every other girl walking down 6th street. This year I really wanted to be a dinosaur, weird I know but it was different. I've searched and searched and every costume out there is like a huge Barney Costume. So if someone reading this knows of one thats cute and I won't suffocate in let me know. Or feel free to invent one for next year, I think it'd be a HIT!

So my next idea is a ballerina. It's simple, easy and cheap. Already have the shoes, tights and leo. Just need the tutu which I know of of about a gazillion places to find one. I originally got the idea because of Black Swan coming out december 1st. If you have not seent he trailer please please please play it below. It looks simply amazing. Anyways I thought about being the black swan but then I realized the the world is not as into dance and ballet as I am and some might not get it, that is until after the movie. And now I'm sure every girl will be a black swan next Halloween.

Then I found this in VS online and thought why not just be a normal ballerina:

Obviously my tata's will not be out like that and the tutu will be some what longer, but I think this is a very classy look for Halloween. This was like $200 on VS and is now sold out so I'm creating my own version. Oh and I'll need a tiara of course and my hair in a bun.

BLACK SWAN - Official HD trailer

2010-10-14T09:29:00.001-05:00

just click it...

2010-10-12T09:04:00.000-05:00

LMAO

the prize in my cereal box...

2010-10-07T11:38:00.001-05:00

i am a sucker for love stories. hopeless romantic at heart 100%. i always believed one day i would have my own fairytale to tell. then i realized you create your own fairytale in life. the way jeffy and i met and started dating is in no way a fairy tale. but looking back now i see what an amazing story we have created and how far we have come and grown together. being the hopeless romantic i am i could look back and tell you exactly when i knew i loved jeff and that he was the one for me...and i will in a minute. let's start from the beginning.

jeffy and i were both working downtown in different bars but really met each other through a mutual friend. one of my bartenders was friends with him and we started going over to see jeff when we were on break. at the time i was in a long distance relationship and blindly in love with a cheating 30 year old. (don't get me wrong im thankful for that relationship now because it led me to jeff.) so i always thought jeff was a cute but never did anything to show it because i was dating someone, though jeff will tell you i used to call him my texas boyfriend (i do not remember this nor think it's true). anyways i went out one night with jen (my roommate then and now) and some girlfriends i think to meet up with some hockey players? i was fresh out of my break up with the 30 year old in jan of 08 and just looking for some good girl time. we happend to end up at jeffs bar. i had gone upstairs to say hi to him and we got to talking about me being single and such. jeff was up there with adam (who passed away in may of 09). and once jen came to find me, adam and jen realized they knew each other. This is the exact time the 4 of us all started hanging out and dating. after the boys got off work they met us girls at ihop. we all sat around ate some breakfast, flirted a little then started walking to our cars. this is when jeff first kissed me. yes you kissed me first get over it. ihop parking lot, romantic right? it is now though because thats our place and it's our own story. i remember telling bestest this and her response was "classy reese".

After that night we began hanging out casually, neither one of us was looking for anything serious, we just hung out in groups of mutual friends and bartenders. jeff's older brother biggie was dating one of my friends joy and i remember joy telling me that at some point we were going to have to talk about where this was going. we hung out casually for about 4 months just having fun and getting to know one another. i dont think we ever hung out more then twice a week during that time. in may of 08 we hit a little bump in the road that really changed our relationship. we both kind of realized that feelings could get hurt and we were more involved then we had thought. from that point on we've pretty much been inseparable. over the next year we met each others families started hanging out more just the two of us and really just enjoyed each others company. carved pumpkins, went on adventures in austin and learned more about ourselves too.we also realized how completely different we are. it really is an opposites attract story for us. we had fights and we had great dates.

then in may of 09 adam died. it was adams birthday and luckily jeff and i went out for an hour to see him and say hi. everything went downhill after that night. we both were dealing with it differently, me not dealing with it at all. jen and adam were still dating at the time and i was till living with jen which made things even harder. then 1 month later bestest (brandy yeoman) died. it sounds strange but this is when i realized i loved jeff. i spent a few days in ohio (where bestest passed away) then a week in houston dealing with funeral and so on. i remember sitting on the couch at bestest's moms house trying to get the obituary just right. jeff had texted me and sent him something back saying "i can't believe i lost my best friend. im writing her obituary right now, this isn't real" and all he said back was "she's still your best friend reesa". it was the most perfect thing anyone had said to me the past week. i knew then that i loved him.

i had a rough time that summer. a lot of built up anger inside of me and i took a lot of it out on poor jeffy. i think a part of me had something against him because he never really knew bestest, she had moved to houston when we first started dating then to ohio. a part of me felt like he couldnt help me because he never knew her. they had met once or twice but that was it. then one night we had gotten into a big fight and were sitting at the park talking and fighting and said to me "what would brandy tell you about this right now if you asked for her advice" that just again was a perfect thing to say. it just showed me how he was thinking about her and my friendship and he knew i was missing my bestest friend. thats when i knew he was the one for me.

i realized later on how much i was stressing him and how much he was just taking it because he knew i was going through a hard time. and we have communicated so well since then and really put effort into being the best for each other. i think fighting is healthy in a relationship, in small portions. these people who get married because everything perfect and you dont fight. well thats a load of crap. your both being fake and putting on fronts. We get in little arguments here and there but don't get into big fights anymore. we listen to each other and always apologize. we take time to just talk about things. i see A LOT of my dad in him, in fact they were talking this weekend about these shows my mother and i will watch for hour after hour and how they both hate them. They are both very driven men who will hold their pride till the day they die. They both made there way up in this world just by working hard. Maybe it's true, maybe daughters do want to marry guys like their father?

next step...cooper the dog. let me tell you something, get a dog before you marry someone. it really shows how much effort they are going to put into your family. jeff and cooper have been the funniest duo to watch ever. cooper just follows him around everywhere. and jeff bless his sole is trying to teach him every trick int he book. it really has painted a picture as to how great jeff is going to be with kids one day.

we made it through some events that no 2 people have been through together. and were stronger then ever now! my family absolutely adores him, i know my bestest dose too, and he really is the prize in my cereal box. the most patient and kind human on earth. i could not imagine one day with out him in my life.

did i fall in love with jeff at first sight? no. did i have my doubts these past 2 and 1/2 years? yes. do i love him with all my heart? yes. will we get married one day and start our own family together? with out a doubt.

the thing i love most about us is that it just happened. we never rushed anything. so many people would make remarks about how weird it was that we wouldn't say i love you for the longest time or other things. but we did it at our own pace and created this fairytale story of two people who became friends first then fell in love. We sat outside on my porch the other night (wine for me beer for him) just talking and enjoying the fresh cool air. i'll find us laying on my living room floor just talking about the most random things.

jeffrey scoot hazzard you are the love of my life!

p.s. sorry for all the punctuation and grammar errors. i just like typing as it comes and not worrying about that.

Growing boys

2010-10-05T13:08:00.001-05:00

It really does seem like just yesterday my nephews were in diapers...then with the blink of an eye they are on baseball teams and learning Karate! I stole these pictures from my sisters facebook page and just had to share them. I cannot believe these little geniuses are becoming young men so fast. As you may have read on here before these 2 are some of the smartest kids under 10 I have ever known. Lee, the oldest, is becoming quite the handsome young fella and I'm sure going to be a charmer with the ladies. Ed, the baby, is so witty and funny and way too smart for his own good. I know my dad is loving having 2 boys finally in a family of all girls. I can only imagine the proud look in his eyes as he saw his grandson on the baseball field.

Pa watching over his pride and joy

I love this picture because you can see Ed in the background watching his big bro

He looks like such teenager in this picture though he's only 9!

Up to bat...Lee!

Little Ed in his Karate class

Too too cute

Can't wait to see this in person

And off in his little Ed land...probably singing a song in his head

Love these 2 boys so much! They are going to make great role models for my future children one day.

COOPSTER

2010-10-05T10:28:00.000-05:00

Jeff reminded me last night that I hadn't made any posts about our little cooper. If you don't know we got cooper the 1st of March 2010. He was 2 months old at the time, Maltese/Poodle mix and was estimated at 5-7 pounds full grown. Well Well Well, he is 9 months old and probably weighs around 15 pounds! That's right our tiny toy puppy isn't so tiny.

BUT I wouldn't trade him for anything. He really is the sweetest pup there ever was. Don't get me wrong he is still a puppy and has his moments of barking, tearing into toilet paper, chewing on flip flops, and accidents. However I've learned that it's more the owners who have to compromise too in living with a new puppy.

1. Don't leave flip flops on the floor. Easy.
2. The barking will decrease as he gets older. He is a puppy.
3. He is pretty much accident free now. But it is our responsibility to take him out, he can't let himself out.

He loves to snuggle right by your head at night and most of the time will stay right there and sleep till around 7am (when i get up anyway). He is in heaven when we take him for walks outside. Just can't get enough of the fresh air and all the different smells.

We have been working on tricks for a while now and he got sit down pretty quickly. Shake was not so easy BUT FINALLY last night he got it! Jeff and I were ecstatic! We had been working with him for so long and he just couldn't get it till yesterday! I don't have any pictures with me at work right now but I'll make another post in the near future with some of our little guy.

We love you Cooper!

picture-less post...

2010-10-04T10:37:00.000-05:00

It's finally fall and the weather is ahhhhh-mazing! Jeffy and I have been taking Cooper on walks almost everyday now that it has cooled down. This is my absolute favorite weather month. Leaves are falling, outside is perfect for porch and wine, simply vannnnnnnderful.

This weekend was pretty great too. TX vs OU in Dallas, well we all know how that went. BUT every year my parents for some weird reason make a weekend trip to Austin during OU weekend. This year Jeffy took off from the bar and we had the nicest Saturday night in with my folks. They arrived around noon on Saturday and dad showed off his new truck to Jeff that he had just purchased earlier in the week. This thing has every bell and whistle you can imagine, but very well deserved by my hardworking father. He spends a lot of time in his truck driving to and from work 5 days a week so after having his last truck for 10 years it was time for an upgrade. And boy oh boy did he upgrade. We headed lunch followed by of course a trip to specs. Then dad and Jeffy watched the end of the game as mom and I headed to Lowe's to check out some new carpet. My parents are upgrading their kitchen, carpet upstairs, and laundry room. This means ALL new appliances, new counters, new carpet, new washer/dryer...the works! Can't wait to see the finished project before Christmas.

That night we took my parents to the Melting Pot downtown. Nom nom nom! Love that place. It was extra nice because they placed us in one of the private rooms so we really got to enjoy our own conversation and the whole experience with out anyone else around. After dinner we all headed to my apartment and just enjoyed some wine and a game of sactergories. It was such a nice change of pace for Jeffy and I to get to spend some quality time with my parents and stay in on a Saturday night.

The parentals left early Sunday. I took my little from BBBS to see a movie then came home just to change and head to another movie with Jeffy and a co-worker of mine and his girlfriend. We saw Social Network and it was very good! The best part was just seeing how facebook really developed to what it is today. It's something I do everyday and being able to see the story of how it came about was very interesting to me.

Overall it was a very relaxing and enjoyable weekend. Very low-key for a change of pace.

Happy Monday!